Hammond S6 Chord organ - suitable for guitar amp?

[xtian]

Please check out the Hammond S6: http://www.nycfarmboy.com/hammonds6/s6details/index.htm

Suitable for conversion to guitar amp? One on CL for $125...

[xtian]

I mean, I can't use that huge chassis, but might be good to convert to 2x12 combo?

Ambitious, I know, but I value your opinion...

See photo: http://www.nycfarmboy.com/hammonds6/s6d ... G_2711.htm

[xtian]

Is it likely worth the resale for all those tubes?

[Structo]

Man, if that organ still works, please don't just grab the amp out of it.

These organs are becoming unobtanium and somebody will probably pay bucks for the organ just the way it is if it works.

I don't know anything about the S6 nor have I heard of it but anything Hammond is usually pretty good.

However, I did convert a Hammond amp to a Rocket but I bought the amp already out of the organ on ebay so I didn't feel too bad.

I keep hearing stories how guys are buying these organs at thrift stores and craigslist and canabalizing the tubes out of them and trashing the rest.
That is not a good thing IMHO.
Where would rhythm and blues and early rock be without the mighty B3 Hammond.

There are plenty of other amps to mod for guitar such as old PA amps from schools and churches or movie projector amps, etc.
Ebay usually has some Bogen or other 6V6 amps just itching for a 1/4" jack.

[xtian]

Here's a list of the 30 (!) tubes in this model:

5U4G/GB (1), 12AU7 (18), 12BH7 (3), 6BA6 (2), 12AX7 (2), 6C4 (1), 6BJ7 (1), 6V6 (2)

Tom, there are a few of these models on CL, from $45 to $200 for one pristine one in Hollywood. So I can't see the demand.

[xtian]

Found the schematics:

http://users.rcn.com/clonk/ChordOrgan/S ... index.html

[M Fowler]

That's the same model as the one I took apart, kept the power supply chassis and speakers. Some of the wood was good and my wife kept the bench. This is a terrible organ and mine was not playable when I tore it apart. Most of the tubes are 12AU7s.

[Structo]

Yeah after I posted I was looking at the pictures and it may not be the best organ for a band but hey, if it works why destroy it?

[roadkingbluzs]

[quote="M Fowler"]That's the same model as the one I took apart, kept the power supply chassis and speakers. Some of the wood was good and my wife kept the bench. This is a terrible organ and mine was not playable when I tore it apart. Most of the tubes are 12AU7s.[/quote


Lookfor an M3 and part out better deal.

[Structo]

Yeah, I think the amp I used was a M3.

By the way, that unit with the lone tube and transformer on the bottom of the cab is the power supply.
Kind of a modular design back then.

[img:220:164]http://www.nycfarmboy.com/hammonds6/s6d ... G_2720.jpg[/img]

I was always impressed with Hammond organs.
What a great feat of mechanical and electronic engineering.

They basically are a clone of a pipe organ.

[M Fowler]

I kept the baffle board and speakers along with the plate on top by the keyboard that says Hammond and has a pilot light and one or two knobs. I plan to take that power supply and built a two speaker combo out of all these parts, a good winter project building that cabinet and amp.

Power supply has some good voltage and uses a 5U4 tube. There is a 12BH7 tube in there some where also.

[passfan]

I routinely grab these older tube chassis off flea bay for nothing and use the trannies in my custom projects. I also salvage fuse holders, some sockets, some caps, and a butt load of good vintage tubes. 125 is too much to just build a guitar amp. pick up a plain chassis for around 50 bucks plus shipping off ebay. Let the fools bid higher, you'll get one for 50 bucks eventually and ask the seller to check the fuse and see if it's good (usually and indication that the trannies might work if nothing else).

[Bear]

I think the S6 is an oscillator-based organ, not a tone-wheel. Oscillator organs tend to be less desirable, but if it's physically solid and plays well, it's a bit of a shame to rip them apart if you can find someone who will put it to use.

Wikipedia has decent info on Hammond tone-wheel organ models. The tone-wheels don't go out of tune unless something is seriously wrong, which is nice. Unless one of these is a complete basket case, I would recommend against gutting because they'll get you at least close to the classic sound.

[xtian]

Now there's a new ad for a Hammond N3: http://chico.craigslist.org/msg/1872380720.html

Is that even a thing? I can't find info about it.

[Baxtercat]

Xtian:
That's the identical model we found years ago [$10!] at a yardsale.
The kids and I played weebly organ notes on it for a few years then we moved it outdoors. I ended up making this lil combo out of it. That was probably too much work for an amp I hardly ever use at gigs [I did at a coffee shop gig once. Sweet sound...]
Anyway, there it is, another devilish project from the workshop of idle [and nutso] hands.
You get two feeble speakers and a nice bag o' 12au7's out of it too.